Shma ：“Baan San Ngam”, a low rise beach front condominium is situated in the Prachuabkirikhan province of Thailand. Located away from the typical tourist area, the site is surrounded by mangroves and grove wood forest with the backdrop of mountainous terrain in the distant.

The varying ecological elements within the area from the sea, dunes, swamp, swale, mound and forest scape provides the site with an interesting topography and ground texture for the designer to experiment with. The concept of “Nature vs. Art” is explored in studying the translation of different shapes, colour and textures when different ecological elements merge into each other such as how water reacts when it flows and penetrate through sand.

The main concept plays on the transition between these 6 ecological elements by creating a natural form of the swimming pool covering most area of the site to mimic the flowing of the sea. Furthermore, a series of small grass dunes are created and placed throughout the landscape area in order to create a balance with the flat surface of ground cover and to also encourage various activities by the residents. Along the edges of the pool, a slanted run-off edge was designed playing with different heights and level resembling a stepped terrain to slow the runoff water from the pool and also to reflect the natural formation of soil erosion.

Pockets of sunken seating space is placed inside the swimming pool according to the client’s brief of creating an enclosed area resembling a bird’s nest giving the sense of a warm and secure territory.